SXC Round 2 Aberfoyle

In the Wild Woods !
Another great course set out by local club Squadra Porcini.
Jamie and Cameron Mason were the only Clarion kids present to tough it out against a very strong showing by Stirlings Wallace Warriors and Peebles Cycle Club.
Jamie was off first in the morning on the slightly revised route to last year which meant that he didn't have to tackle the very steep "heart attack hill". He did however have a very long grind up a firetrack which then dropped into some very rooty natural trails. There were many lines to choose from, none of them particularly easy ! The route then followed more firetrack with a dropoff into a heavily rutted single track then onto a very difficult traverse across the hillside. Jamie had managed to clear most of the traverse on the practice but the race lap was just too congested and he ended up running/pushing through it, as did virtually all the competitors.

A final section of firetrack led into a fast singletrack descent and into the finish arena.
Considering that he had a mechanical just before the race and was unable to use half his gears he put in a fantastic effort to finish 12th with PCC's Calum McGowan taking the top of the podium again.
Cameron had just as tough a race as the Primary kids course had been made much more technical than last year and was now 8 laps ! There was a great 6' drop at the start followed by a technical tight turn and bridge crossing then a sprint up the hill into trees. Another tight turn and then chicane back into the field followed by a steep climb/push and a final singletrack rooty section to finish.
The girls P6/7 podium was filled by Wallace Warriors, a fantastic thrilling race to watch with Katie Allen taking top spot.
Cameron battled it out in the leading group of 6 riders for the first half of the race and it was thrilling stuff with the positions constantly changing. The older riders had the strength though and it was PCC riders who filled the podium in the boys race with Ben Balfour on top.
Cameron was very pleased with his 6th place in a race of over 20 riders. Having competed in a number of races the day before it was a great result. He then found the energy to do 30 miles the following day on road too.
Next race up is Comrie near Crieff on the 29th May. Get up there for a great day out !